Death on the job: Still much more to do
The good news: An estimated 553,000 workers’ lives have been saved since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The bad news …
Workplace Violence
Does bad economy create more workplace violence?
Reports say the shooter who killed three others and himself at ABB Group in St. Louis was a retiree who was part of a lawsuit against the company, and he apparently had a gripe against his former employer.
Does SeaWorld ruling impact human workplace violence cases?
Is the recent court decision regarding OSHA’s citations against SeaWorld in the death of a killer whale trainer so specific that it doesn’t impact other types of businesses? Or could it point to OSHA’s ability to fine companies in cases of human workplace violence?
Fatal shooting focuses attention on workplace violence
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a serious injury or fatality to focus attention on a particular workplace hazard. That’s exactly what has happened following the fatal shooting of a doctor at a Veterans Affairs clinic in El Paso, Texas.
Fewer OSHA inspections — but more impact?
Calling it his “big announcement” at the National Safety Council’s annual conference and expo, OSHA administrator David Michaels said the agency is moving to a new enforcement system that will shift inspection resources toward more complex hazards.
Fired employee sues, says co-worker tried to punch him
Employees who complain about workplace safety and then are fired can successfully sue to get their jobs back, along with back pay and benefits. But is an unlanded punch from a co-worker enough to make a workplace unsafe?
From name-calling to fistfight to injuries: Will he get workers’ comp?
It might be difficult to keep some hot-heads from getting into physical fights at work. But if a fight leads to an injury, do you have to pay workers’ comp benefits?
Guns in the workplace: Safety hazard?
Another state will soon allow workers to keep guns in their vehicles’ locked trunks and glove compartments in companies’ parking lots.
Man who attacked co-workers with hammer gets 65 years in prison
A judge has sentenced a man to 65 years in prison for the attempted murder of three of his former co-workers at a Brooklyn, NY, seafood warehouse.
Newtown, CT: Time for a discussion about workplace violence
The tragedy of the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, provides an opportunity for a discussion on workplace violence. What can we do, as a society and as individual safety professionals, to make it less likely that this happens again?
NIOSH’s suggestions to prevent robbery-related homicides
Workers in convenience stores have a seven times higher rate of work-related homicide than workers in other industries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health. A recent NIOSH study suggests some steps store owners can take to prevent workplace violence.
No workers’ comp because having gun held to your head is part of job?
State laws and court rulings have opened the door for workers’ comp benefits for psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite that, this employer tried to deny benefits to an employee because being a victim of an armed robbery was part of the job.
NSC: Eliminate preventable deaths in our lifetime
The head of the National Safety Council calls it their “moon shot goal.” The organization wants to eliminate accidental deaths in our lifetime.
OSHA cites hospital after 8 employees assaulted in 5 months
From February to June this year, healthcare workers at a medical center were victims of violent patients in eight incidents. Now OSHA has issued violations and fines.
OSHA cites store chain in connection with violent death of clerk
OSHA investigated a chain of four convenience stores after a clerk at one died as result of injuries she suffered in a robbery. The robber dowsed the 76-year-old woman with a flammable liquid and set her on fire.
OSHA General Duty Clause
In cases in which a particular hazard isn’t addressed by any OSHA standard, the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), may be cited. The GDC says: Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death […]
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